Alms captures the attention of the Lord. This offering has a 1:1 return. When we give because of our own emotion, guilt, or pride, it can cancel the return.
Give in private, and the Lord will reward you in public. Alms, referred to in the New Testament as righteous acts and charitable giving, has a motivation of compassion and mercy for those in need.
Description
Giving alms has a unique place in the Body of Christ and captures the attention of God. Alms, referred to in the New Testament as righteous acts and charitable giving, has a motivation of compassion and mercy for those in need.
This act of worship displays our love for those in need, and when done prayerfully, turns our heart toward the Lord, which ultimately captures His heart for us. Through our understanding and experience at Curt Landry Ministries this brings us into communion, fellowship, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.
Why Do Alms Capture the Attention of the Lord?
In the Book of Acts, God reveals how gifts to the poor will capture His attention…
Cornelius prayerfully and generously gave to those in need—“…Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4).
Paul also brought gifts for the poor and presented them as an offering in Acts 24:17—“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation…” This offering represents a deep love for God and His people. As compassion is shown upon those in need, it allows them to be a part of God’s mercy, clearing the way for them to begin to experience God’s goodness for themselves.
Jesus answers the question about what is the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-40, when He commanded us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This offering of alms comes into agreement with this commandment.
In truth, all of the offerings discussed in this series [Click Here for the related blogs: Tithing, Firstfruits, Feast Offerings and Alms, hang on this commandment. The first three are about our relationship with the Lord, and the last is about our relationship with each other. We are called to maintain relationships among ourselves.
Something to Remember About Alms…
While we see how giving alms captures the attention of God, we also must be very aware that this type of giving is not intended to capture the attention of others.
“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”—Matthew 6:2-3
